Method of playing a wagering game and apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a wagering game and apparatus includes a racing format playing area ( 20 ) having four lanes ( 22 ) labeled with four different symbols ( 24 ). The lanes ( 22 ) are partitioned into a number of stations ( 26 ) which correspond to a unit of length (such as a furlong for horse races). Players place a wager on a lane ( 22 ) which they believe will win the race. Playing pieces are sequentially dealt from a set of playing pieces ( 40 ) which contain equal number of each symbol ( 24 ). Each time a symbol ( 24 ) is dealt, a marker ( 36 ) for the corresponding lane ( 22 ) is moved forward one station ( 26 ) until one marker ( 36 ) reaches a finish position ( 30 ). Players who have placed a wager on the winning lane ( 22 ) win a payoff. Then, additional playing pieces are dealt on playing piece receiving stations ( 38 ). The player wins a bonus payoff depending upon how many of these additional playing pieces match the symbol ( 24 ) of the winning lane ( 22 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the filing benefit under Title 35, United States Code, §119(e) of United States provisional application 60/326,267, filed Sep. 29, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention is generally directed to wagering games, and more particularly to a racing format game wherein players wager upon which lane will win a race.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Wagering games which utilize a racing format are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,463,871 shows a game apparatus having a game board with an outline of a racetrack. The track is in the form of a horseshoe and includes a starting line and a finish line. The track includes four side-by-side racing lanes which are partitioned into thirteen sub-lengths, and which are marked with the card suits of diamonds, clubs, hearts, and spades. A deck of cards is dealt one card at a time, and a marker is advanced on the lane whose suit matches that of the dealt card. The marker which crosses the finish line first is declared the winner.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 2,062,168 discloses a toy horse racing game having four lanes marked with hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades, a starting line, and a finish line.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,002,533 illustrates a game device wherein game pieces are moved from one end of a game board to the other end of the game board to simulate a race. The game has lanes of spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,713 comprises a method of playing a game of chance. Players bet on an occurrence that four cards of a particular suit will be dealt by a dealer before any four cards of any other suit.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for a wagering game having a racing format. The format shown herein is that of a horserace, however the principles of the invention could also be applied to greyhound racing, motor car racing, Olympic racing, and the like. The game includes a playing area which has a plurality of side-by-side racing lanes, each lane having a unique symbol, and an associated marker. The playing area can be disposed upon any of a game board, a casino gaming table, a playing cloth, a video game, a playstation, a bar top game, a slot machine, a tv set, a computer monitor, a lottery scratch ticket, and a portable hand held game. Potential outlets for the game include, the home, casinos, bars, pubs, clubs, arcades and gambling outlets worldwide. The game may be played by both children and adults, and a preferred name for thee present invention is BonusRun.

[0008] Each lane is divided into a number of stations which represent a distance. For example, in a horserace setting a station might represent a furlong, therefore if a lane has five stations it would represent a five furlong race. A set of playing pieces, such as a deck of playing cards, contains an equal number of each symbol. Playing pieces are sequentially dealt, and the marker of the lane whose symbol matches that of the dealt playing piece is advanced one station until one marker reaches a finish position. All players who wagered upon the winning lane receive a payoff. In one embodiment of the invention, the payoff is a function of the margin of victory of the winning marker over the second place marker.

[0009] After the race is concluded, a number of additional playing pieces are dealt. The winning players receive a bonus payoff depending upon how many of the additional playing pieces match the symbol of the winning marker.

[0010] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of playing a wagering game includes the steps of:

[0011] (a) providing a playing area, the playing area including:

[0012] a plurality of side-by-side lanes, each lane labeled with a different symbol, each lane including a number of stations (distance segments), and each lane having a starting position and a finish position;

[0013] a plurality of movable markers wherein one marker is associated with and movable upon each lane;

[0014] at least one playing piece-receiving station;

[0015] (b) providing a set of playing pieces such as playing cards or tiles, the set of playing pieces having equal numbers of each symbol;

[0016] (c) providing a dealer and a bank;

[0017] (d) randomizing (for example shuffling) the playing pieces;

[0018] (e) placing the plurality of markers on the starting position of each lane;

[0019] (f) a player placing a wager upon a lane;

[0020] (g) the dealer dealing a playing piece from the set of playing pieces and placing the playing piece face up on the playing area;

[0021] (h) observing the symbol of the playing piece of step (g), and moving marker of the corresponding lane forward one station;

[0022] (i) repeating steps (g) and (h) until one of the markers reaches the finish position;

[0023] (j) the player receiving a payoff from the bank if the wager was placed on the lane whose marker reached the finish position in step (i);

[0024] (k) the dealer dealing a playing piece on each of the playing piece-receiving station of step (a); and,

[0025] (l) if the player received a payoff in step (j), the player conditionally receiving a supplemental payoff from the bank, the supplemental payoff being a function of a number of playing pieces dealt in step (k) which match the symbol of the marker which reached the finish position in step (j).

[0026] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, in step (a), a number of playing piece-receiving stations is five, and the playing piece-receiving stations are arranged in a lane running alongside the side-by-side lanes.

[0027] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, in step (b), the set of playing pieces includes a forfeit playing piece for each symbol. In step (g), if the forfeit playing piece is dealt, the lane corresponding to the symbol of the forfeit playing piece is disqualified and all wagers placed upon the disqualified lane are taken by the bank.

[0028] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a race length is established as a predetermined number of stations, and the finish position is defined to correspond with the race length.

[0029] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, in step (j) the payoff is a function of a margin of victory.

[0030] Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031]FIG. 1 is plan view of a playing area in accordance with the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 2 is flow diagram of a method for playing a wagering game in accordance with the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 3. is a plan view of the playing area showing markers at a starting position;

[0034]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the playing area showing a marker of one lane moved forward one station;

[0035]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the playing area showing a marker of another lane moved forward one station;

[0036]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the playing area showing a forfeit playing piece being dealt;

[0037]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the playing area showing a disqualified lane;

[0038]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the playing area showing one marker poised to cross a finish line and reach a finish position;

[0039]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the playing area showing one marker reaching a finish position;

[0040]FIG. 10 is a plan view of the playing area showing five playing pieces turned face up in five playing piece-receiving stations; and,

[0041]FIG. 11 is a plan view of and alternative playing area.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0042] Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated apparatus for playing a wagering game in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a playing area 20 having indicia which may be disposed upon any of a game board, a casino gaming table, a playing cloth, a video game, a playstation, a bar top game, a slot machine, a tv set, a computer monitor, a lottery scratch ticket, and a portable hand held game. Playing area 20 includes a plurality of side-by-side lanes 22, each lane 22 being labeled with a different symbol 24, each lane 22 including a number of end-to-end stations 26, and each lane 22 having a starting position 28 and a finish position 30. Each station 26 can be representative of a distance such as a furlong for a horserace, a quarter mile for a motor car race, etc. In the shown embodiment of the invention, the plurality of lanes 22 is four, wherein one lane 22 is labeled with the suit of diamonds, one lane 22 is labeled with the suit of clubs, one lane 22 is labeled with the suit of spades, and one lane 22 is labeled with the suit of hearts. Also in the shown embodiment, the number of stations 26 is eight.

[0043] In the shown embodiment, starting position 28 is disposed behind a starting line 32, and finish position 30 is disposed immediately in front of a finish line 34. As used herein the term “behind” means that the starting position 28 is on the opposite side of the starting line 32 from finish line 34, and “in front of” means that the finish position 30 is on the opposite side of the finish line 34 from starting line 32. In other words, for the shown left to right race, “behind” means to the left toward the start of the race, and “in front of” means to the right toward the finish of the race. It may be appreciated that starting line 32 and finish line 34 may be depicted with indicia on playing area 20 or otherwise indicated.

[0044] It is noted that four finish lines 34 are shown (depicted with small numerals). This is because in an embodiment of the invention, the number of stations 26 in a race (the length of the race) can vary. For example, the finish positions 30 for five, six, seven, and eight station races are shown in the figure (depicted with large numerals and arrows). In the shown eight station race embodiment, it is noted that in order to win the race, marker 36 must cross finish line 34. That is, marker 36 must advance past the eighth station 26 (refer to the diamond marker).

[0045] In the shown embodiment, lanes 22 are set out as straight parallel side-by-side racing lanes. However, other racing layouts such as circular, oval, serpentine, etc. could also be used.

[0046] A plurality of movable markers 34 are disposed upon playing area 20 wherein one marker 34 is associated with each lane 22 and moveable thereon. In the shown embodiment, markers 36 depict a horse racing format, however it may be readily appreciated that other racing formats such as, olympics, greyhounds, race cars, and the like could also be employed.

[0047] Playing area 20 also includes at least one playing piece-receiving station 38 (labeled with “Bonus”). In the shown embodiment, the number of playing piece-receiving stations is five. Also in the shown embodiment, the playing piece-receiving stations 38 arranged in a lane running alongside side-by-side lanes 22.

[0048] A set of playing pieces 40 is placeable upon playing area 20. The set of playing pieces 40 has equal numbers of each symbol. For example if the set of playing pieces 40 included a conventional deck of playing cards, each symbol of diamonds, clubs, spades, and hearts would appear on 13 playing pieces. The set of playing pieces 40 can include a deck of conventional playing cards, a deck of conventional playing cards with one or more cards added, a deck of conventional playing cards with one or more cards removed, a deck of special playing cards, a set of playing tiles, a set of tokens, etc.

[0049] In an embodiment of the invention, the set of playing pieces 40 includes a forfeit playing piece for each symbol, wherein if the forfeit playing piece is dealt, the lane corresponding to the symbol of the forfeit playing piece is disqualified and all wagers placed upon the disqualified lane are taken by a bank.

[0050] Playing area 20 further includes wagering areas 42 where a player can make a wager upon a lane 22 as represented by the symbol 24 of the lane 22. For example the player in playing position 8 has placed a one chip wager on the heart lane 22. In another embodiment of the invention, a player can place wagers upon more than one lane. For example, the player in playing position 3 has placed a two chip wager on the diamond lane, and a on chip wager on the heart lane 22.

[0051] Now also referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a flow diagram of a method for playing a wagering game in accordance with the present invention. A round of play starts with step (a) providing a playing area 20. Playing area 20 includes a plurality of side-by-side lanes 22, each lane 22 is labeled with a different symbol 24, each lane 22 includes a number of stations 26, and each lane 22 also includes a starting 28 position and a finish position 30. Playing area 20 also includes a plurality of movable markers 36 wherein one marker 36 is associated with and moves upon an associated lane 22. Playing area 20 also includes at least one playing piece-receiving station 38.

[0052] In the shown embodiment of the invention, the plurality of lanes 22 is four, wherein one lane 22 is labeled with the suit of diamonds, one lane 22 is labeled with the suit of clubs, one lane 22 is labeled with the suit of spades, and one lane 22 is labeled with the suit of hearts. Also in the shown embodiment, the number of stations in each lane 22 is eight, and the number of playing piece-receiving stations 38 is five, the playing piece-receiving stations 38 being arranged in a lane running alongside side-by-side lanes 22.

[0053] The starting position 28 is disposed behind a starting line 32, and finish position 30 is disposed immediately in front of a finish line 34.

[0054] Playing area 20 may be disposed upon any of a game board, a casino gaming table, a playing cloth, a video game, a playstation, a bar top game, a slot machine, a tv set, a computer monitor, a lottery scratch ticket, and a portable hand held game.

[0055] In step (b), a set of playing pieces 40 is provided, the set of playing pieces 40 having equal numbers of each symbol 24. In an embodiment of the invention, the set of playing pieces 40 includes a conventional deck of playing cards. The set of playing pieces 40 may also include a forfeit playing piece for each symbol 24. If in step (g) below, a forfeit playing piece is dealt, the lane 22 corresponding to the symbol 24 of the forfeit playing piece is disqualified and all wagers placed upon the disqualified lane 22 are taken by a bank. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the set of playing pieces 40 includes a conventional deck of 52 playing cards wherein the forfeit piece is the jack of each suit. In another embodiment of the invention, the set of playing pieces 40 includes a conventional deck of 52 cards wherein one or more jokers are added to the deck as forfeit playing pieces.

[0056] In step (c), a dealer and a bank are provided. The dealer deals playing pieces from the set of playing pieces 40 and otherwise handles the playing pieces. The dealer can also randomize the set of playing pieces 40 before they are dealt. That is, shuffle the set of playing pieces 40 for cards, or wash the set of playing pieces 40 for tiles, etc.

[0057] The bank is the entity against which players wager. In an embodiment of the invention, the bank is operated by a banker, wherein the banker is one of (1) a non-participating banker, and (2) a participating banker, wherein banker can place a wager in step (f) below. If the banker is non-participating, the banker owns the bank and plays against all of the other players. If the banker is participating, the banker is only a caretaker of the bank, has no interest in the contents of the bank, and simply physically makes payoffs from the bank and collects lost wagers for the bank. In an embodiment of the present invention, the role of banker can periodically change, so that each player has the opportunity to be banker.

[0058] It may be appreciated that the dealer and the banker may be different entities, or may be the same entity.

[0059] In step (d), the playing pieces 40 are randomized. This task is usually performed by the dealer, and includes shuffling, washing, etc. as has previously been described.

[0060] In step (e), the plurality of markers 36 are placed on the starting position 28 of each lane 22. This step is illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the four markers 36 are placed on the starting positions 28 of each lane 22, the diamond marker 36 on the diamond lane 22, the club marker 36 on the club lane 22, etc. This is the start of the race.

[0061] In an embodiment of the present invention, step (e) also includes establishing a race length as a predetermined number of stations 36, and defining the finish position 30 to correspond with the race length. In an embodiment of the invention, the race length is one of five, six, seven, and eight stations. For example, an eight station race requires the winner to reach the 8 finish position 30 thereby crossing the eight station finish line 34, a seven station race requires the winner to reach the 7 finish position 30 thereby crossing the seven station finish line 34, etc. In an embodiment of the invention, it is the banker who establishes the race length.

[0062] In step (f) a player places a wager upon a lane 22. The wagers are placed in wagering areas 42 by placing a chip on the symbol 24 of the lane 22. In an embodiment of the invention, the player may optionally place a wager on at least one additional lane 22. Referring to FIG. 3, player 1 has placed a three chip wager on the club lane 22. Player 2 has placed a one chip wager on the spade lane 22. Player 3 has placed a two chip wager on the diamond lane 22 and a one chip wager on the heart lane 22. Position 4 is unoccupied. Player 5 has placed a one chip wager on the club lane 22. Position 6 is unoccupied. Player 7 has placed a one chip wager on the diamond lane 22. Player 8 has placed a one chip wager on the heart lane 22.

[0063] In step (g), the dealer deals a playing piece from the set of playing pieces 40 and places the playing piece face up on playing area 20. Referring also to FIG. 4, the dealer has dealt the 10 of clubs face up, and placed it on the used box.

[0064] In step (h), the symbol 24 of the playing piece dealt in step (g) is observed, and the marker 36 of the corresponding lane 22 is moved forward one station 26. In FIG. 4, it is noted that the club marker 36 is moved forward one station 26.

[0065] In step (i), steps (g) and (h) are repeated until one of the markers 36 reaches the finish position 30. In FIG. 5, the next playing piece dealt by the dealer is the Ace of hearts. As such, the heart marker 36 is moved forward on station 26 on the heart lane 22.

[0066]FIGS. 6 and 7 demonstrate the forfeit feature of the present invention. In FIG. 6, during step (g) the dealer has dealt the jack of clubs. Since the jack of each suit has been designated as a forfeit card, the club lane 22 has been disqualified, and in FIG. 7 the club marker 36 has been removed from the playing area 20. The wagers placed on the club lane 22 by players 1 and 5 are taken by the bank. In another embodiment of the invention, in step (b), the set of playing pieces 40 includes a conventional deck of playing cards plus a joker which is designated as a forfeit playing piece. In step (g), if the joker is dealt, then the lane 22 corresponding to the symbol 24 of the next playing piece dealt in step (g) is disqualified and all wagers placed upon the disqualified lane 22 are taken by the bank.

[0067]FIG. 8 shows the status of the race some time later. In step (a), the finish position 30 may be disposed either (1) immediately behind finish line 34, and (2) immediately in front of finish line 34, and in step (i), reaches the finish position 30 being defined as one of (1) occupying the station 36 immediately behind the finish line 34, and (2) crossing the finish line 34. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8, finish position 30 is disposed immediately in front of (to the right of) finish line 34, and reaches the finish position 30 means crossing the finish line 34. FIG. 11 show the embodiment where, finish position 30 is disposed immediately in front of finish line 34, and reaches the finish position 30 means occupying the station 36 immediately behind the finish line 34.

[0068] In FIG. 8., it is noted that the diamond marker 36 occupies the station 26 immediately behind the finish line 34 for an eight station 26 race. However, in the embodiment of the race shown in FIG. 8, the finish position 30 is defined as being disposed immediately in front of the finish line 30. That is, marker 36 must cross the finish line 34 in order to reach the finish position 30 and win. Therefore, in step (g) the dealer must deal one more diamond in order for the diamond lane 22 to win the race.

[0069] In FIG. 9., the dealer in step (g) has dealt the six of diamonds. The marker 36 of the diamond lane 22 has therefore been moved forward one station 36 to the finish position 30 thereby crossing the finish line 34 and winning the race.

[0070] In step (j), the player receives a payoff from the bank if the wager of step (f) was placed on the lane 22 whose marker 36 reached the finish position 30 in step (i). Players 3 and 7 placed a wager on the diamond lane 22, therefore these players receive a payoff from the bank. In an embodiment of the invention, the payoff is a function of a margin of victory in step (i). That is, the winning player receives a higher payoff for greater margins of victory. In FIG. 9 it is observed that the margin of victory of the diamond marker 36 is two stations 26 over the second place heart marker 36. In an embodiment of the invention, the payoff is:

[0071] one times said wager for a one station victory;

[0072] three times said wager for a two station victory;

[0073] five times said wager for a three station victory;

[0074] 20 times said wager for a four station victory; and,

[0075] 60 times said wager for a five station victory.

[0076] Therefore, player 3 would receive a six chip payoff (two chip wager times three for a two station victory), and player 7 would receive a three chip payoff (one chip wager times three for a two station victory).

[0077] In step (k), the dealer deals a playing piece on each of the playing piece-receiving stations 38. Referring also to FIG. 10, the dealer has dealt a playing piece on each of the playing piece-receiving stations 38. In the shown embodiment, the playing pieces are dealt face up. However, in another possible embodiment of the invention, step (k) is performed before step (f), wherein in step (k) the playing pieces are dealt face down so that they are not revealed to the players before wagers are placed. Then, after a lane 22 wins, the playing pieces on the playing piece-receiving stations are turned face up.

[0078] In another embodiment of the invention, in step (k), if a forfeit playing piece is dealt in a playing piece-receiving station, the forfeit playing piece is considered to be a conventional playing piece with no disqualification. It is noted that in FIG. 10 the jack of diamonds was dealt in a playing piece-receiving station, but since it was not dealt during step (g), the disqualification does not apply.

[0079] In step (l), if the player received a payoff in step (j), the player conditionally receives a supplemental payoff from the bank, the supplemental payoff is a function of a number of playing pieces dealt in step (k) which match the symbol 24 of the marker 36 which reached the finish position 30 in step (j). That is, the more matching playing pieces dealt in step (k) the higher the supplemental payoff. In FIG. 10 it is noted that the nine of diamonds and the jack of diamonds match the winning diamond marker 36 of winning diamond lane 22.

[0080] In an embodiment of the invention, the supplemental payoff is:

[0081] none, if no playing pieces in the playing piece-receiving stations 38 match the symbol 24 of the marker 36 which reached the finish position 30 in step (i);

[0082] one times the wager of step (f), if one playing piece in the playing piece-receiving stations 38 matches the symbol 24 of the marker 36 which reached the finish position 30 in step (i);

[0083] six times the wager of step (f), if two playing pieces in playing piece-receiving stations 38 match the symbol 38 of the marker 36 which reached the finish position 30 in step (i);

[0084] 25 times the wager of step (f), if three playing pieces in the playing piece-receiving stations 38 match the symbol 24 of the marker 36 which reached the finish position 30 in step (i);

[0085] 80 times the wager of step (f), if four playing pieces in the playing piece-receiving stations 38 match the symbol 24 of the marker 36 which reached the finish position 30 in step (i); and,

[0086] 200 times the wager of step (f), if five playing pieces in the playing piece-receiving stations 38 match the symbol 24 of the marker 36 which reached the finish position 30 in step (i).

[0087] Therefore, player 3 would receive a 12 chip supplemental payoff (two chip wager times six for two matches), and player 7 would receive a six chip supplemental payoff (one chip wager times six for two matches).

[0088]FIG. 11 is a plan view of and alternative playing area 120. A movable finish marker 50 is disposed upon playing area 120 to define a finish line. For example in the figure, movable marker 50 has been placed to define a six station 26 race. Additionally in this embodiment, the finish position 30 is disposed immediately in front of finish marker 50 (the finish line). Therefore in order to win, a marker 36 (the heart marker 36 as shown) need only occupy the station immediately behind the finish line. This is opposed to having to cross the finish line.

[0089] In another embodiment of the invention, in step (b), the set of playing pieces 40 includes a second joker. In step (c), a banker is provided as previously discussed. Then in step (g), if two jokers are dealt, then the banker changes for a next round of play. That is, the first joker occasions the disqualification of one of the lanes 22, and the second joker occasions a change in banker.

[0090] The preferred embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A method of playing a wagering game, comprising: (a) providing a playing area, said playing area including: a plurality of side-by-side lanes, each said lane labeled with a different symbol, each said lane including a number of stations, and each said lane having a starting position and a finish position; a plurality of movable markers wherein one marker is associated with each said lane and movable thereon; at least one playing piece-receiving station; (b) providing a set of playing pieces, said set of playing pieces having equal numbers of each said symbol; (c) providing a dealer and a bank; (d) randomizing said playing pieces; (e) placing said plurality of markers on said starting position of each said lane; (f) a player placing a wager upon a said lane; (g) said dealer dealing a playing piece from said set of playing pieces and placing said playing piece face up on said playing area; (h) observing said symbol of said playing piece of step (g), and moving said marker of said corresponding lane forward one said station; (i) repeating steps (g) and (h) until one of said markers reaches said finish position; (j) said player receiving a payoff from said bank if said wager was placed on said lane whose marker reached said finish position in step (i); (k) said dealer dealing a playing piece on each said playing piece-receiving station of step (a); and, (l) if said player received a payoff in step (j), said player conditionally receiving a supplemental payoff from said bank, said supplemental payoff being a function of a number of playing pieces dealt in step (k) which match said symbol of said marker which reached said finish position in step (j).
 2. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (a), said plurality of lanes being four.
 3. The method of claim 2, further including: wherein one said lane is labeled with the suit of diamonds, one said lane is labeled with the suit of clubs, one said lane is labeled with the suit of spades, and one said lane is labeled with the suit of hearts.
 4. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (a), wherein said number of stations is eight.
 5. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (a), a number of said playing piece-receiving stations being five.
 6. The method of claim 5, further including: said playing piece-receiving stations arranged in a lane running alongside said side-by-side lanes.
 7. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (a), said starting position disposed behind a starting line.
 8. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (a), said finish position disposed one of (1) immediately behind a finish line, and (2) immediately in front of a finish line.
 9. The method of claim 8, further including: a movable finish marker disposable upon said playing area to define said finish line.
 10. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (a), said playing area being disposed upon any of a game board, a casino gaming table, a playing cloth, a video game, a playstation, a bar top game, a slot machine, a tv set, a computer monitor, a lottery scratch ticket, and a portable hand held game.
 11. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (b), said set of playing pieces including a conventional deck of playing cards.
 12. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (b), said set of playing pieces including a forfeit playing piece for each symbol; and, in step (g), if a said forfeit playing piece is dealt, said lane corresponding to said symbol of said forfeit playing piece is disqualified and all said wagers placed upon said disqualified lane are taken by said bank.
 13. The method of claim 12, further including: in step (b), said set of playing pieces including a conventional deck of playing cards wherein said forfeit piece is a jack of each suit.
 14. The method of claim 12, further including: in step (k), if a said forfeit playing piece is dealt in a said playing piece-receiving station, said forfeit playing piece is considered to be a conventional playing piece with no disqualification.
 15. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (b), said set of playing pieces including a conventional deck of playing cards plus a joker which is designated as a forfeit playing piece; and, in step (g), if said joker is dealt, then said lane corresponding to said symbol of said next playing piece dealt in step (g) is disqualified and all said wagers placed upon said disqualified lane are taken by said bank.
 16. The method of claim 15, further including: in step (b), said set of playing pieces including a second joker; in step (c), providing a banker; in step (g), if two jokers are dealt, then said banker changes for a next round of play.
 17. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (c), providing a banker; said banker being one of (1) a non-participating banker, and (2) a participating banker, wherein said banker can place a wager in step (f).
 18. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (e), establishing a race length as a predetermined number of stations, and defining said finish position to correspond with said race length.
 19. The method of claim 18, further including: a banker establishing said race length.
 20. The method of claim 18, further including: said race length being one of five, six, seven, and eight stations.
 21. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (f), said player optionally placing a wager on at least one additional said lane.
 22. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (a), said finish position disposed one of (1) immediately behind a finish line, and (2) immediately in front of a finish line; and, in step (i), reaches said finish position being defined as one of (1) occupying said station immediately behind said finish line, and (2) crossing said finish line.
 23. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (j), said payoff being a function of a margin of victory in step (i).
 24. The method of claim 23, further including: in step (j) said payoff being: one times said wager for a one station victory; three times said wager for a two station victory; five times said wager for a three station victory; 20 times said wager for a four station victory; and, 60 times said wager for a five station victory.
 25. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (k), said playing pieces being dealt face up.
 26. The method of claim 1, further including: performing step (k) before step (f), wherein in step (k) said playing pieces are dealt face down.
 27. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (l), said supplemental payoff being: none, if no playing pieces in said playing piece-receiving stations match said symbol of said marker which reached said finish position in step (i); one times said wager, if one playing piece in said playing piece-receiving stations matches said symbol of said marker which reached said finish position in step (i); six times said wager, if two playing pieces in said playing piece-receiving stations match said symbol of said marker which reached said finish position in step (i); 25 times said wager, if three playing pieces in said playing piece-receiving stations match said symbol of said marker which reached said finish position in step (i); 80 times said wager, if four playing pieces in said playing piece-receiving stations match said symbol of said marker which reached said finish position in step (i); and, 200 times said wager, if five playing pieces in said playing piece-receiving stations match said symbol of said marker which reached said finish position in step (i).
 28. The method of claim 1, further including: in step (a), said plurality of lanes being four, wherein one said lane is labeled with the suit of diamonds, one said lane is labeled with the suit of clubs, one said lane is labeled with the suit of spades, and one said lane is labeled with the suit of hearts; in step (a), wherein said number of stations is eight; in step (a), a number of said playing piece-receiving stations being five, said playing piece-receiving stations arranged in a lane running alongside said side-by-side lanes; in step (a), said starting position disposed behind a starting line. in step (a), said finish position disposed one of (1) immediately behind a finish line, and (2) immediately in front of a finish line; in step (a), said playing area being disposed upon any of a game board, a casino gaming table, a playing cloth, a video game, a playstation, a bar top game, a slot machine, a tv set, a computer monitor, a lottery scratch ticket, and a portable hand held game; in step (b), said set of playing pieces including a conventional deck of playing cards; in step (b), said set of playing pieces including a forfeit playing piece for each symbol, and in step (g), if a said forfeit playing piece is dealt, said lane corresponding to said symbol of said forfeit playing piece is disqualified and all said wagers placed upon said disqualified lane are taken by said bank; in step (k), if a said forfeit playing piece is dealt in a said playing piece-receiving station, said forfeit playing piece is considered to be a conventional playing piece with no disqualification; in step (c), said banker being one of (1) a non-participating banker, and (2) a participating banker, wherein said banker can place a wager in step (f); in step (e), establishing a race length as a predetermined number of stations, and defining said finish position to correspond with said race length; said race length being one of five, six, seven, and eight stations; in step (f), said player optionally placing a wager on at least one additional said lane. in step (a), said finish position disposed one of (1) immediately behind a finish line, and (2) immediately in front of a finish line; in step (i), reaches said finish position being defined as one of (1) occupying said station immediately behind said finish line, and (2) crossing said finish line; in step (j), said payoff being a function of a margin of victory in step (i); and, in step (k), said playing pieces being dealt face up.
 29. Apparatus for playing a wagering game, comprising: a playing area, said playing area including: a plurality of side-by-side lanes, each said lane labeled with a different symbol, each said lane including a number of stations, and each said lane having a starting position and a finish position; a plurality of movable markers wherein one marker is associated with each said lane and moveable thereon; at least one playing piece-receiving station; a set of playing pieces, said set of playing pieces having equal numbers of each said symbol, said playing pieces placeable upon said playing area;
 30. Apparatus according to claim 29, further including: said plurality of lanes being four.
 31. Apparatus according to claim 30, further including: wherein one said lane is labeled with the suit of diamonds, one said lane is labeled with the suit of clubs, one said lane is labeled with the suit of spades, and one said lane is labeled with the suit of hearts.
 32. Apparatus according to claim 29, further including: said number of stations being eight.
 33. Apparatus according to claim 29, further including: a number of said playing piece-receiving stations being five.
 34. Apparatus according to claim 33, further including: said playing piece-receiving stations arranged in a lane running alongside said side-by-side lanes.
 35. Apparatus according to claim 29, further including: said starting position disposed behind a starting line.
 36. Apparatus according to claim 29, further including: said finish position disposed one of (1) immediately behind a finish line, and (2) immediately in front of a finish line.
 37. Apparatus according to claim 36, further including: a movable finish marker disposable upon said playing area to define said finish line.
 38. Apparatus according to claim 29, further including: said playing area being disposed upon any of a game board, a casino gaming table, a playing cloth, a video game, a playstation, a bar top game, a slot machine, a tv set, a computer monitor, a lottery scratch ticket, and a portable hand held game.
 39. Apparatus according to claim 29, further including: said set of playing pieces including a conventional deck of playing cards.
 40. Apparatus according to claim 29, further including: said set of playing pieces including a forfeit playing piece for each symbol, wherein if a said forfeit playing piece is dealt, said lane corresponding to said symbol of said forfeit playing piece is disqualified and all wagers placed upon said disqualified lane are taken by a bank.
 41. Apparatus according to claim 29, further including: said plurality of lanes being four, wherein one said lane is labeled with the suit of diamonds; one said lane is labeled with the suit of clubs, one said lane is labeled with the suit of spades, and one said lane is labeled with the suit of hearts; said number of stations being eight; a number of said playing piece-receiving stations being five; said playing piece-receiving stations arranged in a lane running alongside said side-by-side lanes; said starting position disposed behind a starting line; said finish position disposed one of (1) immediately behind a finish line, and (2) immediately in front of a finish line; said playing area being disposed upon any of a game board, a casino gaming table, a playing cloth, a video game, a playstation, a bar top game, a slot machine, a tv set, a computer monitor, a lottery scratch ticket, and a portable hand held game; said set of playing pieces including a conventional deck of playing cards; and, said set of playing pieces including a forfeit playing piece for each symbol, wherein if a said forfeit playing piece is dealt, said lane corresponding to said symbol of said forfeit playing piece is disqualified and all wagers placed upon said disqualified lane are taken by a bank. 